Numbering-machine.



N0. 797,3831. PATENTBD AUG. 15, 1905.

. 0. IF. SMITH 8; P. R. DILL.

NUMBERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8, 1904..

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No. 79mm. PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905..

my. SMITH & P. BILL.

NUMBERING- MACHINE.

APPLIUATIOH FILED H037. 8,1904.

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OUR'TISS F. {"BlviITH AND PETER R. BILL, OF NEl/V YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO 'WETTER NUMBERINO MACHINE COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF NEl/V YORK.

WUNllETEWlNG MAOI-HNE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1905.

To all when it Jittt concern:

Be it known that we, Oon'riss F. SMITH and il nrrnn R. DILL, citizens of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, in the city of New York, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Imp rovements in Nu mberingdyiachines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to numbering-machines in which several numbering-wheels having the desired type characters formed upon their peripheries are mounted side by side upon a common axis and are rotated with astep-by-step movement to bringto the line or plane of print the proper printing character.

The improvements are designed with especial reference to their application to typographic numboring-machines which are adapted to be locked in a form with the type; but they are nevertheless applicable in whole or in part to other numberirig-machines.

One feature of the invention is concerned directly with the operation of the numberingwheels. l'leretofore in order to avoid the printing of non-significant ciphers at the left of the number to be printed the numberingwheels above the units-wheel have either been provided with cipher-bearing blocks which can be retired from the plane of print when desired or such wheels have been 'forl'ned with eleven divisions, ten of the divisions bearing the digits from 0 to 9, and the eleventh division having no type-face in the plane of print, so that in beginning the use of such a :numlmring-machine all of the type-wheels above the units-wheel can be set with the blank division in the line of print, whereby the printing of the n n-signi licantzero is avoided, while in the subsequent operation of the ma chine each numbering-wheel above the unitswheel is advanced two spaces after the O has been brought to the line of print, whereby the blank is skipped and the 1 is next brought to the line of print. The so-called drop-cipher machines have been generally adopted because of some uncertainty in the operation of the so-called clevelrdivision machines, particularly when the eleven-division machines are not constructed with great care, although the employment of the movable cipherblock in the drop-cipher machines gives rise to difliculties in the manufacture and in the use of such machines.

It is therefore one object of the presentinvention to improve the construction of elevendivision machines in such manner as to overcome the difliculties which have hitherto existed and to make the operation of such machines certain.

Another feature of the invention has for its object to improve and simplify the means whereby movement is imparted to the swing ing pawl-frame by which the numberingwheels are successively actuated.

Other features of improvement will be more particularly referred to hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as embodied in a typographic numbering-machine of usual character, and its nature will be explained with reference thereto.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a typographic numberingmachinc which embodies the invention, a portion of the frame being broken out. Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section on the plane indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking toward the right. Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section on the plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking toward the right. Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are detail views showing in different positions the numbering-wheels shown in Fig. 3 and illustrating the operation of the devices by which the number-ing-wheel is actuated. Fig. 8 is a view in transverse section on the plane indicated by the line 8 8 of Fig. 1, a portion of the frame being broken out to save space. Fig. 9 is a detail View showing the shaft and a portion of the swinging pawl-frame. Fig. 10 is a detail View showing two of the hold pawls and their cooperating spring. Figs. 11 to 15 are views, respectively, similar to Figs. to 7, but showing a slightly different embodin'ient of the invention.

In the machine chosen for illustration of one embodiment of the invention and repre sented in Figs. 1 to 10 the mechanism is supported as usual by a frame or casing which comprises end plates at a and longitudinal bars a. a, uniting the same. In the end. plates is mounted a shaft 7), which in the present instance is rotatable rather than fixed, as usual. "The shaft is provided with a longitudinal slot 6, which may be engaged by a pin or projection 0, carried by the usual plunger 0. The latter is mounted upon springs c" in the end plate or head (1/ of the frame and in the present instance is recessed or slotted, as at 0 to straddle the shaft 7). The plunger is pressed down by the platen of the press or otherwise and is returned by the springs 0 thereby imparting to the shaft 7), through the pin or projection 0 and the slot 6, an oscillation upon its axis for a purpose presently to be described. As usual in machines of this description the numbering wheels are actuated through the oscillations of a pawlframe, which carries a series of pawls adapted to engage the wheels. In this instance, however, the pawl-frame, comprising end plates (Z, united by a bar (Z, instead of being mounted freely on the shaft 6 is arranged to be oscillated thereby, one or both of the end plates (Z being provided with a stud or tongue d, which engages the slot 7) in the shaft 7). The actuating-pawls e e, &c., are suitably formed, as usual, for engagement with the several numbering-wheels and being formed in one piece or firmly secured together are pivoted in the pawl-frame, as at (Z and are pressed normally toward the shaft 7) by a suitable spring or springs, as at (Z5 The several numberingwheelsf, g, 72 &c., are mounted to revolve on the shaft as usual. The units-wheel f has its periphery divided into ten equal spaces, each of which has upon its face a type character corresponding to one of the digits from O to 9, 'nclusive. Formed with .the units-Wheel f or secured thereto is a ratchet-wheel f, having, as shown in Fig. 2, ten teeth equally spaced and a deep notch f which permits the pawl e to move farther in toward the shaft 7) in order that the next pawl (3 may engage the ratchet of the next wheel 9 as the units-wheel completes each rotation, as usual in machines of this class. There is also provided for the units-wheel 7 a hold-pawl f which is pressed normally into engagement with the ratchet by a spring The units-wheel is formed and operates as usual. The successive wheels of the series, however, are formed and operate in accordance with one feature of the present invention, and such successive wheels above the units-wheel may be formed precisely alike, whereas in other eleven-division machines they are not all precisely alike. A description of one of such wheels and its operation will therefore answer for all of the wheels of the series above the units-wheel. It may further be observed that in accordance with this invention each of said wheels above the units-wheel has a ratchet on one side thereof only in contradistinction to the two ratchets, one on each side of the wheel, usually required in eleven division machines. elimination of one ratchet from each wheel removes one of the causes of uncertainty in the operation of eleven-division machines,

The

since the precise relation which should be established between the two ratchets is no longer necessary to be secured. Furthermore, the elimination of one ratchet-wheel permits the machine to be made more compact. Because of this and of the identity of the successive wheels above the units-wheel and of the improvements of the actuating mechanism about to be described it also becomes possible to give the new machine any number of wheels within reasonable limits above the units-wheel and to make the machine entirely automatic in operation after it has once been set until its limit is reached, whereas it has not been practicable to make eleven-division machines entirely automatic in operation between their limits for more than three or four wheels. Each of the wheels g h, &c. above the units-wheel has upon its periphery eleven divisions. Ten of such divisions, as indicated in the drawings, bear type characters corresponding to the several digits, including the zero, and the eleventh division or space is blank, its surface not extending to the plane of print. It will be understood that, as usual, all of the wheels above the units-wheel are set by hand before the use of the machine is commenced, so that the blank spaces stand inthe line of print, whereby no non-significant O is printed at the left of any significant figure. Thereafter the operation of the machine is automatic and each wheel in succession is moved step by step, except that each wheel is moved forward at one move the distance of two spaces between the "0 and the 1. Asingle ratchet-wheel, as g, is formed on orsecured to each numbering-wheel above the units-wheel, such ratchet-wheel being formed with a deep notch g and with ten ratchet-teeth. In the construction now under consideration the several ratchet-teeth are equally spaced, except that the distance between the two teeth on opposite sides of the deep notch g is greater than the distance between any other two consecutive teeth, being, in fact, approximately double the standard distance between any other two consecutive teeth, and in the machine shown in the drawings one and four-fifths times the distance between any other two consecutive teeth. The angular movement of the pawl-frame is also approximately double the angular space of two standard teeth, being in the machine shown slightly less than double the angular space of two standard teeth and slightly more than the angular distance between the teeth on opposite sides of the deep notch-that is, slightly more than one and founfifths times the standard space. The hold-pawl g in order to cooperate properly with the ratchetwheel formed as described, and especially to bridge the space between the two teeth on opposite sides of the deep notch, while no additional parts are required to effect the desired operation, is provided with two teeth and "reasei Y gig f, which are separated. in the machine now referred to by a distance less than the length of a standard tooth of the wheel, one of which teeth in this machine cooperates with the ratchet-teeth during a certain portion of the rotation of the wheel and the other during the remainder of such rotation. This will be clearly understood upon reference to the several positions of the wheel as shown in Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive, of the drawings. In Fig. 3 the wheel is represented in its initial position, to which it has been turned by hand, with the blank space in the line of print. in this position the tooth g of the hold-pawl engages the adjacent tooth of the ratchet-wheel and the actuating-pawl e rests upon the point of the tooth in line with the printing character In the upward movement of the pawl-frame, which now takes place, the pawl (1' slides idly over the tooth 3 and engages the tooth 2, carrying the wheel forward into the position shown in Fig. 4, with the charu 7) a acter 1 1n the line of print. In tlns position the tooth 9 is engaged by the tooth g of the holdpawl. The successive movements of the wheel are effected in like manner, except as hereinafter indicated. hen the type character 3 is brought to the line of print, as shown in Fig. 5, the tooth in line with the blank space is engaged by the tooth of the hold-pawl. When the type character 4% is brought to the line of print, as shown in Fig. 6, the tooth 2 of the ratchet- Wheel, being nearly twice the normal distance from the last preceding tooth, is engaged by the tooth g of the hold-pawl, and during the next six successive movements of the wheel this tooth g of the hold -pawl likewise engages the ratchet-teeth, the last position being represented in Fig. 7 with the type character O in the line of print. In the next movement the wheel must be advanced the distance of two spaces, so that the type character 1 shall next stand in the line of print. During the last preceding downward move ment of the pawl-frame the pawl 0' passed beyond the point of the tooth 2 instead of resting upon the point of the tooth, as in the preceding positions, the angular distance between the point of the tooth in line with the blank space and the point of the tooth 9. being slightly less than the angular movement of the pawl, as already stated. Consequently, in the upward movement of the pawl-frame the pawl carries the wheel forward only slightly less than two of the standard spaces, which is suflicient to carry the blank space of the wheel beyond the line of print and to bring the type character 1 into the line of print, thus accomplishing the desired object. flhen the wheel has been brought to the position last referred to, which is shown in Fig. 4, the ratchet-wheel is engaged again by the tooth on the hold-pawl, which continues to operate during the next two movements of ,shown in Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive.

the wheel. it will be understood without further explanation herein that the deep notch of each wheel above the units-wheel cooperates with the corresponding pawl to permit the engagement of the next pawl with its ratchet-weel at the proper ti me to effect a forward movement thereof.

For convenience in construction and repair of the machine, as well as for improven'ient in its operation, the usual comb-spring for cooperation with the hold-pawls is replaced by the wire springs 1, (shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 10 of the drawings,) each of such springs being looped around the shank of a holding screw f, while the spring for two adjacent pawls is made double to cooperate with both, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10.

The particular formation and relation of the ratchet-wheels, actuating-pawls, and holdpawls already described are well adapted for some conditions of use; but for other conditions of use, especially where there is great liability of an overthrow of the mmiberingwheels, a slightly diflerent arrangement and relation of parts mentioned maybe desirable, such a different formation and relation being in the construction shown in the figures just referred to the actuating-pawls c, & c., have an angular movement equal to double the standard angular distance between two successive teeth. The teeth of the ratchet-wheel g are also equally divided, except that the tooth next after the deep notch is cut back slightly on its engaging side, so that the distance between the tooth and the tooth just preceding the deep notch shall be slightly less than double the standard distance between two successive teeth or slightly less than the range of movement of the actuating-pawl, whereby the aetuatii'ig-pawl may drop back to and engage the tooth immediately following the deep notch, and thereby advance the wheel through two spaces, bringing the type character l to the line of print and skipping the blank space. The distance from the tooth next after the deep notch to the next tooth following it is slightly greater than the standard distance by reason of the cutting back of the lirst-mentioncd tooth, as already described. The hold-pawl g" is also provided with two teeth and in order to bridge the deep notch, as before, the distance between these two teeth being substantially equal in this instance to the standard distance between two teeth of the ratchet-wheel. In this form of the machine, moreover, the spring-pressed hold-pawl is utilized to throw back the munber-wheel to its proper point in the event of an overthrow, and for this purpose the hold-pawl and the ratchetwheel are somewhat differently formed, being provided with cam-surfaces, as at y" and 7 which cooperate when the wheel has been slightly overthrown to move the wheel backward to its true position.

The operation of this form of the machine is substantially the same as that already described and will require no further explanation, it being observed that in the position represented in Fig. 1 the tooth of the hold-pawl alone is in engagement with the ratchet-wheel and that in the position represented in Fig. 14. and in the next successive position the tooth g is alone in engagement with the ratchet wheel, while in other positions both teeth of the hold-pawl are in engagement with the ratchet-wheel if the teeth of the wheel are spaced uniformly and the teeth of the holdpawl are spaced exactly in correspondence therewith.

It will be understood that the improved means for operating the eleven divisionwheels may be employed in machines of a different character from that represented in the drawings and independently of the other features of improvement herein referred to and also that the details of construction and relation of parts may be varied as may be required to suit different conditions of use without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be understood, for example, that the relation of the ratchet-teeth to the type-surfaces of each wheel will depend upon the relative position of the actuating-pawl with respect to the printing-line.

IVe claim as our invention-- 1. In a numbering-machine, the combination of a numbering-wheel having a blank space, a ratchet-wheel secured thereto and having a deep notch, an actuating-pawl, and a hold-pawl havingtwo teeth for cooperation with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, substantially as described.

2-. In a numbering-machine, the combination of a numbering-wheel having a blank space, a ratchet-wheel secured thereto and having a deep notch with the angular distance between the teeth on opposite sides thereof approximately double the standard length of one tooth, an actuating-pawl having an angular movement approximately double the length of a standard tooth, and a hold-pawl having two teeth for cooperation with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, substantially as described.

3. In a numbering-machine, the combination of a numbering-wheel having a blank space, a ratchet-wheel secured thereto and having the angular distance between two of its adjacent teeth approximately double the normal angular distance between the other successive teeth, an actuating-pawl having an angular movement approximately double the normal angular distance between successive teeth, and a hold-pawl, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a numbering-machine, the combination of a numbering-wheel having a blank space, a ratchet- Wheel secured thereto and having the angular distance between the two adjacent teeth corresponding to the opposite sides of the blank space approximately double the ordinary angular distance between successive teeth, an actuating-pawl having an angular movement approximately double the normal angular distance between successive teeth, and a hold-pawl having two teeth separated by a distance less than the standard length of each tooth of the ratchet-wheel, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a numbering-machine, the combination of a frame, a shaft mounted rotatably therein, wheels mounted rotatably on said shaft and directly supported thereby, a plunger engaging said shaft to oscillate the same, a pawl-frame engaged by said shaft to he oscillated and directly supported thereby, and pawls to engage the wheels, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a numbering-machine, the combination of a frame, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame and slotted longitudinally, a plunger having a pinor projection to engage said slot, a pawl-frame hung upon said shaft, and having lugs or projections to engage said slot, wheels mounted on said shaft, and pawls carried by said pawl-frame to actuate said wheels, substantially as shown and described.

7. In a numbering-machine, the combination of numbering-wheels, actuating means therefor, hold-pawls therefor, a spring for each of said hold-pawls and a holding-screw for said spring, said spring being looped around the shank of said screw, substantially as shown and described.

8. In a numbering-machine, the combination of numbering-wheels, actuating means therefor, hold-pawls therefor, springs to cooperate with said hold-pawls and holdingscrews for said springs, each of said springs being doubled and looped around the shanks of the respective screw, and cooperating with two adjacent pawls, substantially as shown and described.

This specification signed and witnessed this elth day of October, A. D. 1904.

CURTISS F. SMITH. PETER R. DILL.

In presence of ANTHONY N. JnsBnRA, IV. B. GREELEY. 

